A supramax bulk service transporting wheat for human consumption from a European port to a Center Japanese port skilled cargo high quality points upon discharge. The report relies on official inspection findings throughout the cargo unloading course of.
What Occurred
The vessel loaded wheat over a interval of two weeks. Cargo was transferred each from a barge alongside and immediately from the jetty, the place lorries dumped wheat onto a metal plate. A ship crane then loaded the cargo into 5 holds. Loading was interrupted by rain on 12 events, throughout which cargo remaining on the metal plate was returned to lorries and faraway from the jetty. No drying protocol was documented past returning cargo to lorries.
Poor visibility throughout loading, resulting from early dusk at round 1600 hours, restricted the crew’s capability to look at cargo situation within the holds, and no further lighting was put in. Fumigation with aluminium phosphide tablets was utilized earlier than departure, with seals on the cargo holds and tape/foam used on hatch covers to forestall fuel leakage.
On the discharge port, inspection revealed that the majority cargo in maintain three was infested and displayed lumpy, wet-damaged traits. Cargo in different holds remained in good situation. A salinity check confirmed that there was no saltwater injury. The receiver rejected the remaining cargo in maintain 3, and additional unloading was halted.
Why It Occurred
The cargo injury occurred primarily resulting from moist wheat being loaded onto the vessel throughout repeated rain interruptions, which resulted in water publicity earlier than the cargo was stowed within the holds. Poor visibility throughout early night hours additional restricted the crew’s capability to look at the situation of the cargo or detect wetness within the holds. Moreover, fumigation in maintain 3 was probably ineffective, presumably as a result of this maintain was not sufficiently tight to retain the fumigant fuel, not like the opposite holds.
Fuel leakage throughout the voyage could have additional diminished the effectiveness of fumigation. Contributing components additionally included the absence of documented procedures for closing hatch covers throughout rain and for inspecting cargo situation throughout loading, in addition to inadequate lighting and a scarcity of proactive climate monitoring. Collectively, these components led to insect infestation and wet-damaged cargo in maintain three, whereas the remaining holds remained in good situation.
Actions Taken
The vessel underwent fumigation earlier than departure. On the discharge port, authorities inspected and unsealed the cargo holds. No additional corrective actions have been reported throughout the voyage, and unloading of maintain three was stopped after inspection confirmed cargo infestation and moist injury.
Classes Discovered
Guarantee cargo shouldn’t be uncovered to rain throughout loading and that cargo on the jetty is satisfactorily protected.
Confirm that every one cargo holds are sufficiently weather-proof earlier than departure, recognizing that hatch covers can’t be absolutely gas-tight.
Examine rubber packing on hatch covers for integrity; ultrasonic testing is really useful.
Present satisfactory lighting to examine cargo throughout low-visibility circumstances, and monitor climate forecasts to shut hatch covers prematurely of rain.
Report cargo situation within the deck log and take formal actions, corresponding to issuing letters of protest, noting the mate’s receipts, and creating causal payments of lading when moist or broken cargo is noticed.
Guarantee fumigation procedures are applicable for every maintain, together with enough fuel retention to make sure efficient insect management.
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